Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY338001 Unique Reference Number 30 July 2007 Inspection date Amanda Jane Tyson Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2006 and is NNEB qualified (National Nursery Examination Board). She has cared for children within the last six months, but there are currently no children on roll. She lives with her husband and two adult and school aged children in West Ewell, Epsom in Surrey. The first floor is not used for childminding. On the ground floor the conservatory is set up as a playroom, there is a lounge-diner, kitchen, cloakroom and fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder has a pet rabbit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how children's good health is promoted. She has systems in place to gather information from parents regarding children's emotional and care needs, to clarify their wishes in relation to meeting children's health needs, and to record accidents and administered medication. She has completed first aid training, which

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 means that she is equipped to treat minor injuries and to respond to certain emergency situations. However, in the event that a child became unexpectedly unwell whilst in her care, the childminder states that she would, with verbal consent from parents, administer non prescription medication. She does not have the administration in place to obtain the required written permission beforehand.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder's home is warm and hygienically clean. She describes how she would promote good hygiene standards for children through daily discussion and good practice about how germs are spread. For example, by making sure that children understood the importance of hand washing after touching animals, using the toilet and before eating. The childminder further describes how she would provide paper towels for hand drying so that children do not share the same towel and carry hand sanitising gel with her when on outings. She has devised a written illness policy which she intends to give a copy of to parents. This explains the need for children with contagious conditions to be kept at home to protect others from contracting the illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrate her good understanding of healthy eating, giving example such as snacks of fruit, well-balanced meals made with fresh produce and the need for children to be offered and have access to regular drinks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has taken action to ensure that risks in and outside her home have been minimised so that children can play safely. For example, the garden is secured with perimeter fencing and locked gates which means that children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised. Electrical sockets are covered and her wide range of well maintained play and learning resources are stored on low level shelving so that children would be able to help themselves. The childminder has detailed her emergency evacuation procedure on a diagram and her records show that she practised this with the previous attending child on a regular basis. The childminder describes robust methods for protecting children whilst on outings; she would carry a mobile telephone and has acquired a set of wrist bands which detail her name and telephone number so that children could be reunited with her more quickly if they were

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

found by a responsible adult. Furthermore, the childminder intends to carry information that identifies her as a childminder, the names of the children and parental contact numbers in case of an emergency situation whereby she became unwell.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Through discussion and the availability of documentation, the childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of safeguarding issues, for example her regulatory responsibility to record all existing injuries to children and to report concerns. She has devised a written policy which explains this and intends that parents sign to show that they have read and understood it.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder clearly explains how she has previously and would support in the future, support and promote children's learning through a wide range of valuable play experiences both inside and outside of the home. For example, she previously purchased innovative play and learning resources to specifically help past attending children learn about more complex shapes and patterns with a set of connecting hexagons. She introduced them to body part names and how they work, and they used to enjoy the challenge of coordinating clothing using a set of colourful

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 wooden templates. She describes how she would add value and meaning to pretend play by making subtle suggestions or by joining in and taking on a role, such as being a patient. The childminder recalls times when they planted seeds and bulbs together in the garden and enjoyed trips to the local park. Through discussion, the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of children's individual needs. She recognises that after spending a morning in a busy pre-school setting part time children are tired and benefit from being able to choose their own play in a relaxing home environment. She describes how young children benefit from sensory and imitative play and how she would include daily outings to feed the ducks and explore the natural environment, visit the library and various toddler groups. The childminder has set up the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

conservatory as a playroom which is inspiring to the eye; there is a role play area and book corner, a place for writing and drawers containing arts and crafts materials, puzzles, construction, games and small world. These are all stored at accessible child height so that they can help themselves. She talks about how she would plan the day around younger children's sleep needs so that they are consistent with their home routines. The childminder highlights her enthusiasm to use her professional training to record annotated observations of children during play and then using these to monitor their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder describes well thought through strategies for gathering information about children's individual care needs from parents prior to placement, and methods for getting to know their personalities, likes, dislikes and stage of development by spending time with them during a gradual settling in period. The childminder talked about how she would raise children's awareness of diversity through conversation, by having available play and learning resources that depict positive images of race, gender and disability. The childminder's professional experience of caring for children with physical and/or learning disabilities, combined with her sound knowledge of child development equips her well to support children with specific needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder showed a sound knowledge of behaviour management, giving good examples of how she would teach moral messages through stories, discussions, using common courtesies herself and encouraging the children to be polite and considerate. She describes a few sensible house rules which are mostly designed to keep children safe, for example no jumping on the sofa.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The availability of past records and documentation show that the childminder had securely clarified and verified parental wishes about most aspects of care provided. She has devised a number of written policies and procedures to explain her operational practice, and existing documents show that parental signatures were obtained to clarify that they had read and understood them. The childminder describes how she would ensure a verbal exchange of information and use a daily diary to support consistency of care for children between their two care environments. For example, by recording details of their sleep times, nappy changes, food consumption and general well-being and development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The well organised and equipped play room offers a welcoming and inspiring environment for children. Through discussion the childminder shows how she would use this space, resources and her time to promote and support children's play and learning needs very well. This is further

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 supported by her relevant early years qualifications; she is NNEB qualified (National Nursery Examination Board), has completed the Introduction to Childminding Practice, and first aid training.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of the requirements for record keeping and ensuring that she has all the necessary documentation in place, for example past registers show that she has recorded precise times of children's attendance, and she has her certificate of registration displayed in the playroom. Overall, evidence suggests that the childminder would meet the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection raised three regulatory actions for improvement relating to National Standard 6; Safety, National Standard 12; Partnership with Parents, and National Standard 14; Records and Documentation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder took immediate steps to address the safety issues, for example a fire blanket was purchased and wall mounted in the kitchen and safety film was applied to low level glass panes. She devised a number of written policies and procedures which she made available to the parent user at the time, including information about how to make a complaint. The childminder also took immediate steps, which is verifiable by the date recorded on the documents that she still has in her possession, to complete a comprehensive written agreement with the parent at that time, although the need to clarify their wishes in relation to non prescription medication was missed.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • clarify parental wishes in relation to the administering of non prescription medication.

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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